coolant overflow install

[mdutton11]

About to install my coolant overflow tank in my MK IV with a 302. The small nipple obviously goes to the filler cap by hose, FFR manual says the other nipple should have a tube extending into the tank.
1 I do not see a tube that will extend into the tank
2 Where would that hose end up going (I assume route it down to drain any overflow)
3 What is the third connector for?

132422

[egchewy79]

I'm not using the kit provided overflow, but my understanding is the overflow from your t-filler goes into the nipple on the bottom that opens into the bottom of the tank. The other nipple should be connected to a straw/tube that goes up higher into the tank, and this is what gets connected to the tube draining to the floor. Not sure what the small connector is for. I don't recall seeing it when going through my inventory.

[mdutton11]

That is what I was thinking as well but curious about the third connector and have to dig around to find the internal tube. Back to my parts list....

[mdutton11]

If I am going to cut a tube for in the tank - any ideas how high up it should go?

[egchewy79]

just looked at my coolant tank in the box. looks like it comes with two short threaded nipples, the third one you're showing (kinda reminds me of a banjo bolt), and should have a threaded long metal straw about 8in long. There's also the mounting bracket and screws in the box. one of the short threaded nipples will go to the bottom of the tank, the longer straw goes into the other threaded hole. I'm guessing the banjo bolt-looking piece is for a different application, as is the second short threaded nipple. The distance between the bottom of the tank and the top of the straw is your overflow volume. Some have found it possible to use this tank, but if you system has a larger delta of fluid expansion/contraction, it might suck all the fluid in when the engine cools, leading to air getting sucked back in to your system. I went ahead and bought a larger aluminum tank off ebay for pretty cheap.

[mdutton11]

can you post a pic of the 8 inch straw you are talking about. I don't see it anywhere

[egchewy79]

132434
It was in my box with my tank and hardware

[mdutton11]

thank -that is exactly what I am missing. Now to find, fab or call FFR...

[GTBradley]

Just to be sure, it’s not already inside the tank is it? I thought mine was lost too, but found it inside there.

[mdutton11]

I wish- good idea though

[mdutton11]

just noticed the smaller nipple is threaded inside as well (larger one is not). Should be able to find something to thread into it. If the "bango bolt" was 8" longer it would be perfect.

[NAZ]

thank -that is exactly what I am missing. Now to find, fab or call FFR...

Already having trouble with the supplied tank and do you know for sure it will be large enough for your application? You might consider returning it for credit and find one that you are sure has enough volume for your application. Not much downside in going a bit larger than necessary but installing one that's too small creates some performance issues you won't want to deal with.

[mdutton11]

there seems to be a familiar theme in different threads I have read - go bigger. Suggestions on larger that is nice and polished?

[GTBradley]

Go bigger is always popular here. You may in-fact need bigger, but I am 3000 miles into an experiment to see if the bigger Morroso tank is actually necessary for the Coyote. It seems everyone does this but, so far, I have zero issues using the FFR supplied tank. When my engine is hot, the tank is full, when it is cool it is nearly empty. I have not needed to add coolant even after hundreds of miles in 99 degree heat and it is not sucking air into the system, at least that I can tell.

[bobm488]

Go bigger is always popular here. You may in-fact need bigger, but I am 3000 miles into an experiment to see if the bigger Morroso tank is actually necessary for the Coyote. It seems everyone does this but, so far, I have zero issues using the FFR supplied tank. When my engine is hot, the tank is full, when it is cool it is nearly empty. I have not needed to add coolant even after hundreds of miles in 99 degree heat and it is not sucking air into the system, at least that I can tell.

I have the same experience as you with the factory five tank, no problems yet.

[mdutton11]

sounds like I will stick with it at least for now - my 302+ shouldn't put out that much heat. Still have the problem of no internal tube but I am sure I can fab something up from the hardware store.

[GTBradley]

I would think FFR wouldn’t mind replacing it or you could check the the for sale section here. There’s got to be a bunch of unused ones lying around.

[NAZ]

I'm curious, do any of you SBF guys know exactly how much coolant your set-up takes? I'd like to calculate the expansion for a typical SBF powered roadster. I was looking for coolant capacity of Mustangs with the SBF and couldn't believe how little coolant they hold. More than a gallon less than my SBC which surprised me.

[Norm B]

Mine took just under 4 1/2 US gallons after the rebuild this winter. My Mustang service manual says 3 1/2 but, I believe the FFR rad holds more than the stock rad. My car has a heater and aluminum heads which may have added to the coolant required.

Norm

[NAZ]

Thanks Norm, that makes more sense to me. I kept seeing around 13 qts for the Mustang which sounds low to me.

So based on a capacity of say 4.3-gallons and a couple reasonable operating parameters (fill at 60F & 220F max operating temp), system expansion would be ~27 oz and with a 10% fudge factor plus a couple ounces of reserve so the radiator never sucks air, I would expect a 32 oz recovery tank should work for this sample system. Not sure what size tank comes in the roadster kit but my hot rod came with a 32 ounce tank.

[egchewy79]

just filled (and partial drained) my 289 w/ fluid. took just under 4 gallons (2G of antifreeze and 2G of distilled water) to fill block, radiator, and heater core/hoses.

[mdutton11]

Just so nobody else goes down the road I did - I am a complete idiot. Probably 5 hours wasted between getting great info from the forum, driving to HD, Lowes and Wilco without a solution I finally purchased a 2L tank from amazon that I think will look awesome. Here's the kicker - the tube was taped to the outside of the box containing all the goods. Argh- move on and hope for no more....132520

[GTBradley]

Ha! I can’t tell you how many times that kind of thing has happened to me. Glad you found it.